James bice



(No Model.)

J. RICE.

EXEROISING MACHINE.

No. 393,265. Patented Nov. 20; 1888.

- Lren lor. filial: Jkm 2.: Rice.

M PETERS. Pholo-Lvtlwgnphar. Wilmington. D. C-

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIQ.

JAMES RICE, OF \VINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA.

EXERCISING-MACHINE.

QPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,265, dated November20, 1888.

Application filed June 9, 1888. Serial No. 276,552. (No model.)

To CI/ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J AMES RICE, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada,residing at \Vindsor, in the county of Essex and Province of Ontario,Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inLifting-lilachines, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inlifting-machines of that class which are designed for physical cultureas a means of restoring health by light and pleasant exercise; and tothis end my invention consists in a portable machine havingaspring-platform supported upon springbars, against the tension of whichthe pulling is to be applied, and in the peculiar construction andarrangement of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafterdescribed, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 isa perspective view of my improved machine. Fig.2 is a side elevationthereof.

A is a platform, provided on its under side with the cross-bars B ateach end, and this is supported upon two sides by two parallel springs,O D, which are separated from each OlllOl by the block E at the middle,and preferably made integral with one of the springs. These springs arealso preferably made of light flexible wood, for cheapness ofmanufacture and to give lightness to the structure.

The ends of the lower spring, D, are supported upon and connected to thecross-bars F by means of screws or bolts passing through the spring intothe cross-bars. The screwholcs arc prefer-ab] y made slightly largerthan the screw to allow of the depressing of the center of the springwithout straining the frame. To the under side of the cross-bars andparallel with the springs O D are secured the spring-bars (l, supporteda little distance from the floor by the blocks or feet H, secured to thespring-bars in any suitable manner. These spring-bars extend under thespringplatform, and on each side some distance out from the platform.They are made preferably of light pliable wood and slightly taperingtoward the ends. Spring-bars of metal may also be used to advantage. Ateach end these spring-bars are provided with apertures, in

which are inserted the ends of the ropes I, and

at the con tor of the rope handle thus formed are slidingly secured thehandles J. One end of the rope is securely fastened to the spring-bar,while the other end is provided at its end with the hook K, engaging thescrews or pins L, a series of which are secured to the under side of thecross-bar, so that by engaging the hook .npon the different pins thehandles maybe lengthened or shortened for the use of people of differentheights. Any other suitable means of adjustment may be used.

' The parts being arranged substantially as shown and described, theyare intended to be used as follows: Theoperator, standing upon theplatform and taking hold of one of the handles'with each hand, placingeach feet at the outer edge of the spring-platform, obtains the benetitof the springs O D. By pulling first with one hand the spring-platformis depressed upon that side, while the end of the spring-arms are bentup, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. and then pulling with the otherhand, using the second rope as a means of steadying himself, the sameoperation is ob tained on the other side; or the operator may pull uponboth sides at the same time and the spring action of all the parts isobtained. In this manner a pleasant light exercise may be taken, whichexercises the body in a proper manner without any possibility ofstraining.

hat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a lifting-machine, thecombination, with the platform, of the separated springbars supportingsaid platform, and springbars parallel with said bars and separatedtherefrom and extended beyond the sides of said platform, and cordsattached to the ends of the bottom springs and provided with handles,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a liftingmachine, the combination of the platform A, the springs OD, the block E, interposed between said springs, the cross bars F, andthe spring-bars G, extending on each side beyond the sides of theplatform, substantially as described.

Intestimony whereof [affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses,this 29th day of May, 1888.

JAMES RICE.

\Vitnesses:

.IA \VllITTEMOR n, JOHN SeHUMAN.

